Selfies and juggling day jobs: Chatham Town land ‘amazing’ Women’s FA Cup tie

Old-school sweet dispensers stand pitchside at the Bauvill Stadium as players who have just finished a day’s work gather for an 8.30pm training session beneath a wall that reads “If I can dream …”. The Women’s FA Cup trophy sits in the boardroom while Chatham Town Women, the lowest-ranked side left in the fifth round, prepare to visit big-spending Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Saturday in a tie shown live on television.

Chatham cover players’ expenses but do not pay football salaries; their opponents are full-time professionals. Chatham, who entered the competition in the third qualifying round, have won five ties, including two away shootouts at third-tier AFC Wimbledon and Exeter City.

The run has brought the Kent club £107,000 in prize money; they would receive a further £20,000 if they lose on Saturday or £80,000 if they win, a sum Keith Boanas says will “sustain and help build the women’s game here for at least the next two to three years”.

England, Chatham, Kent

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